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Nemesismachine
01-12-2010, 05:45 PM
Does the car need a thermostat if there's no heater core? I plan on running without it, should I have it anyway?

88_pacifica
01-12-2010, 06:05 PM
Does the car need a thermostat if there's no heater core? I plan on running without it, should I have it anyway?

Yes, it helps the car maintain efficient operating temps as well as limiting the over-heating of the motor believe it or not. The motor is not designed to have a continual flow through the motor because it "needs" that time for the heat exchange to the antifreeze. Is this for a race only application or something?

turbovanmanČ
01-12-2010, 06:08 PM
You should connect the hose's like the core is there, it acts like a bypass but if your simply just blasting down the 1/4 and not warming the car up, then nevermind.

raccoon
01-12-2010, 06:35 PM
it would never warm up without it.

88_pacifica
01-12-2010, 06:45 PM
it would never warm up without it.

Actually, it creates hot pockets within the motor and has a strong potential of overheating. The antifreeze is never in a place long enough to transfer the heat from the metal to the liquid. I know it sounds crazy, but it's been proven in many arena's.

http://allfordmustangs.com/forums/5-0l-tech/40761-without-thermostat.html

http://volvoforums.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-22725.html

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=230441&page=9

take this next forum with a grain of salt :D
http://www.preludeonline.com/f62/driving-without-thermostat-244771/

raccoon
01-12-2010, 06:50 PM
makes sense kinda, but my car with a stuck one warms up after a few hours at idle. really really sucks

88_pacifica
01-12-2010, 06:54 PM
makes sense kinda, but my car with a stuck one warms up after a few hours at idle. really really sucks

Stuck is not the same as not there. If it is partially restricted, then that would impede the flow WAY more than if there wasn't one at all. So, yours(stuck at half throttle so to speak) is probably slowing the flow enough to allow "some" heat transfer vs practically none. ;)

moparman76_69
01-12-2010, 07:46 PM
Actually, it creates hot pockets within the motor and has a strong potential of overheating. The antifreeze is never in a place long enough to transfer the heat from the metal to the liquid. I know it sounds crazy, but it's been proven in many arena's.

I agree with personal experience to back it up. Took the t-stat out of a truck I had and it would overheat sitting at idle. Put a t-stat in and it never did it again.

Nemesismachine
01-13-2010, 10:04 AM
So I can pull the heater core, but keep the thermostat to allow the car to warm up normally.

rx2mazda
01-13-2010, 10:08 AM
So I can pull the heater core, but keep the thermostat to allow the car to warm up normally.

Yes, but for what it takes to remove a heater core on our cars, I would just disconnect it.....unless you already have the HVAC/DASH out.

minigts
01-13-2010, 11:46 AM
Yes, but for what it takes to remove a heater core on our cars, I would just disconnect it.....unless you already have the HVAC/DASH out.

Damn skippy. That is such a pain to take out. However, if you are going to go through the trouble and don't use your A/C, I'd take that out as well. In fact you could simply remove the entire system under the dash, which would give you TONS of room under there.

88_pacifica
01-13-2010, 04:57 PM
I hope this is an extremely high end race only car where the 15 pound gain to remove it is well worth it(1 hp gain MAYBE!). Otherwise, I would just cap off the heater core to keep out gunk(for possible reconnect later), loop the heater hoses together(aka bypass) and roll with it. No need to even touch the thermostat.

What brought this all about may I ask??

Nemesismachine
01-14-2010, 10:24 AM
I have the dash out already, I was just curious what to do with it next. I know it could be used as a JIC for overheating, but the car's intent was for the track.